LEROS

Guide of LEROS

Leros, unlike the other Dodecanese islands, is unexpectedly green and lush. It is great for walking with mountains, valleys and delightful bays. Although it is a well-known holiday destination Leros still has an air of authenticity and the island's inhabitants are still fishermen and farmers who in the summer are dedicated to tourism.

History

According to the legends, Leros has been inhabited since ancient times by people from Anatolia. Its long history is similar to the other Greek islands, being taken over by the Dori, the Persians, Athenians, then the Spartans, Byzantines and the Knights of Rhodes until 1523 when the island was dominated by the Ottoman Turks for at least 4 centuries. In 1912 to 1943 it became part of the Italian colonies following the Italo-Italian War.

Places to visit

Traces of these populations have remained on the island and can be seen in the buildings. The houses of Platanos in the island's capital are early nineteenth century, but going further back in history you can also visit the Kastro of the Virgin Mary, built by the Knights of St. John from the eleventh century along with a museum that preserves artefacts from the islands many invasions. The archaeological site of Partheni is remarkable, along with the remains of the temple of Artemis and Xerokambos, where there are still traces of a prehistoric town to explore.

Beaches

The island lots of activities for tourists there is trekking, diving courses, underwater fishing, windsurfing and excursions of all kinds and even fields for basketball and tennis. The beaches are all very beautiful even if a bit crowded, some are stony such as Merkies and Xilokampos and others sandy such as Gurna, Kokali, Drymonas and Koulouki, but all the beaches are well equipped with amentities and there are all kinds of water sports.